Cathay Pacific

[ERJdca]

Holy crap!

Someone walks in your app, and it still takes TWO YEARS... Wow (shaking my head).

I was quite lucky, took 3 weeks from my app to the phone call and about 2 months notice for the first interview. About a 2.5 month heads up on the second interview and a class date 8 months later. Total process about 1 year. I didn't have any internal reccomendations so anythings possible. I have talked to guys that waited quite some time (years) and ive also talked to a few like myself that got in quick-who knows.

 

[VVJM265]

Any word on Cathay lifting the age 55 retirement?

 

[Bjammin]

You can already fly to age 60, but you have to move from the PAX flight to the Cargo side. You'll take a pay cut, but you keep you retirement money coming in. This is the first step to it going all to age 60, especially with the expansion and the lack of training captains.

 

[VVJM265]

Well that's good news!

 

[jobear]

It took me over a year to send my application in I hope it bodes well that I still turned it in...and the clock starts ticking.

Email from CP HR within 2 days of turning in my app waiting.....

 

[VVJM265]

Yea they emailed me w/i a day of when FedEx said it was delivered. No word yet; guys on pprune are saying that it sometimes takes years for them to call you for an interview. Its a long shot at best.

 

[jobear]

Yea they emailed me w/i a day of when FedEx said it was delivered. No word yet; guys on pprune are saying that it sometimes takes years for them to call you for an interview. Its a long shot at best.

Well it gives me time to read that Handling big jets anyway. Anyone have a copy of XYZ in pdf?

jobeer

 

[VVJM265]

Just got the call last night - 7 weeks from the time they got the app; WOW! Interview in late June in SF!

 

[Lear70]

Just got the call last night - 7 weeks from the time they got the app; WOW! Interview in late June in SF!

Me, too. Got the email this morning when I woke up.

Of course, I'm JUST FINISHING NEW HIRE TRAINING AT AIRTRAN!!! LOL

When it rains, it pours. Next thing you know, I'll be getting phone calls from my apps in at SWA and JB.

When it rains, it pours... Good luck to everyone who gets the interview call!

 

[EV120]

Same here as well. Recieved the email this morning, for June 30 DEFO.

I applied 3/29/06, and have not yet had the chance to update.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Long haul flying isn't for everyone. I have a friend at CX who is hoping to get on with SWA and get back to flying shorter legs. As far as quality of life goes he felt he had a better time at the regional he used to fly for. He commutes from the west coast. Upgrades are not done in order of seniority so if you piss off the wrong person you could spend a career there and not make it to the left seat. The big turnoff for me is the long flights. Obviously some people feel quite opposite and enjoy long legs. Of the people I've talked to about long hual flying in general the consensus has been that it gets very old after a few years.

 

[On Your Six]

I was quite lucky, took 3 weeks from my app to the phone call and about 2 months notice for the first interview. About a 2.5 month heads up on the second interview and a class date 8 months later. Total process about 1 year. I didn't have any internal reccomendations so anythings possible. I have talked to guys that waited quite some time (years) and ive also talked to a few like myself that got in quick-who knows.

From your profile it looks like you got hired onto the A340 vs. the 744. Are you an SO on the A340? Are newhires assigned to a particular fleet on the pax side (I understand you get 744 on the cargo side) or do you have a choice? Is the QOL better on the A340 fleet or the 744 fleet for newhires - does it have good route variety vs. the 744?

 

[Bjammin]

You don't get a choice as to which fleet when you pick up SO and it can change just before you start training, but I think the QOL is about the same. I don't know much else.

I do enjoy the long haul flying and have many freinds at SWA that absolutly get raked, but they also seem to really enjoy the company.

I think it truly comes down to what kind of flying you really enjoy doing.

I would have been happy with either one.

 

[ERJdca]

Congrats guys on getting the calls!

On Your Six,

Yes, im an S/O on the a340, and was not asked for a preference. Im happy to get the bus because we have a good variety of destinations. Rosters are excellent, 18-21 days off that i have seen.

Dave Benjamin,

Quality of life better at a regional? I dont quite see how thats possible? Upgrades not in seniority order? As far as i know they are on the PAX fleet, you just have to actually be competent enough to get one. Its not JUST a number. The job isn't for everyone but being at a company that does very well and has been very stable is whats most important to me. The long haul doesn't bother me.

 

[arthompson]

Me, too. Got the email this morning when I woke up.

When it rains, it pours... Good luck to everyone who gets the interview call!

RM You going to take the interview?

 

[GogglesPisano]

1. What's the upgrade time on the cargo side?

2. Is it possible to go from cargo CA to pax CA and if so what is that transition timeframe?

3. How hard is it to get JFK or ORD as a new hire?

thanks in advance.

 

[DL_Infidel]

Phase 2

Just got the good news from Amy. Here are my stats:

6000 TT
1000 Turbine PIC-all turboprop
4300 Turbine
35 yrs old
civilian
currently flying the B757/767 as an FO with that bankrupt carrier in ATL.

Applied in Oct...heard back w/i 6 weeks for Phase 1 in SFO on 27 Jan.
Phase 2 was 26-27 Apr.

I wish you all well.

 

[Bjammin]

1. What's the upgrade time on the cargo side?

2. Is it possible to go from cargo CA to pax CA and if so what is that transition timeframe?

3. How hard is it to get JFK or ORD as a new hire?

thanks in advance.

1. About 3.5 years, but guys are getting looked at quite a bit earlier now-a-days.

2. Yes, you have to give the cargo side 3 years before you can pick up a PAX slot.

3. JFK easy, ORD very hard.

Hope this helps!

 

[center]

Just to add to Bjammins post,

It is a Minimum of 3 years before you can Request a transfer to the PAX fleet, and the transfer will put you as a FO on the PAX fleet, not as a Captain. Upgrade to Captain on the PAX fleet is over 10 years.
Also keep in mind that the PAX fleet are soon to be taking pay cuts to attempt to level the pay with Cargo, as well as planned DEFO recruitment direct onto the PAX fleet.

Good luck to all those interested in joining us in the Fragrant Harbour.

 

[Lear70]

WHoooaaa??!! Pay CUTS? At CATHAY? WTFO?

Art, no I haven't taken the interview offer for several reasons, the main one being I don't want to take someone's interview slot for a job I probably wouldn't take anyway. Would delay some guy or girl another 3-6 months until the next interviews, not cool...

Why would I stay at airTran instead of Cathay? Well, I wouldn't mind flying heavy metal internationally, but with kids at home I don't want to be gone 7 or 8 days at a time with 10-12 days off a month which is what I'm hearing some of their pilots on the freight side are getting. 18-21 days off doesn't seem to be the norm, but I'm not sure whether they'd be hiring me into the freight or pax side, or if there's even a difference in days off between the two, (the email didn't say which side they were interviewing for).

I also took a look at the pay scale and although the pay is higher initially at Cathay (by about $20k 1st year, 10k 2nd year, even money 3rd year), putting me up $30k by going to Cathay, I upgrade around year 4 at airTran putting me up about $30k over 4th year Cathay F/O rates so it's even money either way in the long run, plus the Cathay CA pay max is within $2,000 a year of airTran CA pay max. Only real bonus at Cathay for money is a 15.5% b-fund compared to a 10.8% b-fund at airTran (which I personally think is going to go up 2 or 3% after negotiations).

Not to mention that airTran just put about $20,000 into my training and it would be more than rude just to up and leave after they've put that much into me...

Don't get me wrong, it's tempting as HELL, I've been thinking about it almost nonstop since I got the email, but bottom line, with airTran I kinda know what I'm into already and I like it, whereas I'm a little leary of Cathay's mystery behind their payscales, pax/freight pay, schedules, bases, commuting, pass privileges, etc.

If anyone over there has some insight into why Cathay would be a better bet as a family guy, please share, I haven't sent the "No" yet, but I'm definitely leaning in that direction.

 

[OOflyer]

1. About 3.5 years, but guys are getting looked at quite a bit earlier now-a-days.

2. Yes, you have to give the cargo side 3 years before you can pick up a PAX slot.

3. JFK easy, ORD very hard.

Hope this helps!

I've heard that if you upgrade to captain you have to be based in Hong Kong for 1 year? Is this true? Also is it possible to be based in the U.S and fly Pax as an FO? I guess my question would be is it possible to fly for CX and nevery actually be based in Honk Kong?

 

[puddlejumper101]

WHoooaaa??!! Pay CUTS? At CATHAY? WTFO?

Art, no I haven't taken the interview offer for several reasons, the main one being I don't want to take someone's interview slot for a job I probably wouldn't take anyway. Would delay some guy or girl another 3-6 months until the next interviews, not cool...

Why would I stay at airTran instead of Cathay? Well, I wouldn't mind flying heavy metal internationally, but with kids at home I don't want to be gone 7 or 8 days at a time with 10-12 days off a month which is what I'm hearing some of their pilots on the freight side are getting. 18-21 days off doesn't seem to be the norm, but I'm not sure whether they'd be hiring me into the freight or pax side, or if there's even a difference in days off between the two, (the email didn't say which side they were interviewing for).

I also took a look at the pay scale and although the pay is higher initially at Cathay (by about $20k 1st year, 10k 2nd year, even money 3rd year), putting me up $30k by going to Cathay, I upgrade around year 4 at airTran putting me up about $30k over 4th year Cathay F/O rates so it's even money either way in the long run, plus the Cathay CA pay max is within $2,000 a year of airTran CA pay max. Only real bonus at Cathay for money is a 15.5% b-fund compared to a 10.8% b-fund at airTran (which I personally think is going to go up 2 or 3% after negotiations).

Not to mention that airTran just put about $20,000 into my training and it would be more than rude just to up and leave after they've put that much into me...

Don't get me wrong, it's tempting as HELL, I've been thinking about it almost nonstop since I got the email, but bottom line, with airTran I kinda know what I'm into already and I like it, whereas I'm a little leary of Cathay's mystery behind their payscales, pax/freight pay, schedules, bases, commuting, pass privileges, etc.

If anyone over there has some insight into why Cathay would be a better bet as a family guy, please share, I haven't sent the "No" yet, but I'm definitely leaning in that direction.

This is kind of a funny story. Today I was commuting from ATL to FLL on Airtran (always a great experience). When I got to my seat there was a pilot in uniform, I did not know who he worked for until he mentioned Cathay. We talked briefly, and I asked him what he thought of Cathay...he said it's different. He mentioned how he can't bid a line...his schedule is built for him, not the freedom to bid like we are used to. He mentioned that training is rather rough...very uptight and thorough. He is on the cargo side out of JFK...and the last thing he said is he kicks himself in the pants for turning down Airtran 6 years ago. He kinda wishes he had taken it, he would have been a senior captain...(I am not an Airtran guy either, so he was not trying to kiss A@@). Things that make you go hmmm. This is a guy on a 747-400 cargo, JFK based making good $$$ and he wishes he had taken Airtran instead. Last thing he told me was that it is very different working for a foreign company than for an airline in the States...hmm I say.

 

[Lear70]

This is a guy on a 747-400 cargo, JFK based making good $$$ and he wishes he had taken Airtran instead. Last thing he told me was that it is very different working for a foreign company than for an airline in the States...hmm I say.

Exactamundo...

Stories like that are what scare me from jumping to a gig working for a foreign carrier.

Better the devil you know...

 

[Bjammin]

I've heard that if you upgrade to captain you have to be based in Hong Kong for 1 year? Is this true? Also is it possible to be based in the U.S and fly Pax as an FO? I guess my question would be is it possible to fly for CX and nevery actually be based in Honk Kong?

You don't have to live in HKG for a year once you upgrade. There are no Cargo Captains based out of HKG.

You can be based out of SFO or LAX as a PAX FO. JFK may be a PAX base eventually.

You NEVER have to be based out of HKG if you choose not to (as a direct Entry First Officer) , but the benifits of going there entice quite a few guys.

 

[Bjammin]

This is kind of a funny story. Today I was commuting from ATL to FLL on Airtran (always a great experience). When I got to my seat there was a pilot in uniform, I did not know who he worked for until he mentioned Cathay. We talked briefly, and I asked him what he thought of Cathay...he said it's different. He mentioned how he can't bid a line...his schedule is built for him, not the freedom to bid like we are used to. He mentioned that training is rather rough...very uptight and thorough. He is on the cargo side out of JFK...and the last thing he said is he kicks himself in the pants for turning down Airtran 6 years ago. He kinda wishes he had taken it, he would have been a senior captain...(I am not an Airtran guy either, so he was not trying to kiss A@@). Things that make you go hmmm. This is a guy on a 747-400 cargo, JFK based making good $$$ and he wishes he had taken Airtran instead. Last thing he told me was that it is very different working for a foreign company than for an airline in the States...hmm I say.

I've never worked for any other airline, but I have to say I very much enjoy this one.

The training is tough, but If a single seat military pilot like myself can get typed on a 747 and transition to international long haul then anyone can.

They gave me all the chances I needed and were very helpful and hands-on.

The money is very, very good. I make more then any other junior pilot I know and have more time off, better benifits, and much more per-diem. Getting all your monthly hours in 2 to 3, 5 day trips doesn't stink. You also get 6 weeks vacation a year as a 1st year FO. I'm able to do Cathay and the reserves and still have a couple of weeks off a month in San Diego.

The money gets much better on the PAX side. They are going to combine the pay scales eventually, but once you are on one payscale, you don't have to switch, unless you want to.

I think it's all about the way you approach it. They took a chance on taking such a low time, military, knuckle-head like myself for a DEFO position and for that I'm very greatfull. I do what I'm told, don't make waves, and still have very high job satisfaction. I think they notice my positive attitude and seem to respond favorably.

Plus, for the past 18 years I'm used to a very militaristic life style. Cathay is FAR from that, so I think I see it differently then most. I don't feel I work for "The Man", I just show up, do my schedule, have fun with the guys, and go back home, no B.S. I'm able to afford my life style in San Diego and spend a good amount of time with the family. I also truly enjoy the flying.
Who could want more than that?

 

[OOflyer]

So if i were based in LAX for example flying cargo and I were to upgrade to pax flying will I still be based in LAX? What if I were to upgrade to captain could I still be based in Lax? Also you say that you don't have to be based in HK but what if I were to upgrade to Pax captain positon? I'm getting to that point where I want to move on from my current job and am exploring different avenues, so excuse my questions.

 

[ERJdca]

WHoooaaa??!! Pay CUTS? At CATHAY? WTFO?

Art, no I haven't taken the interview offer for several reasons, the main one being I don't want to take someone's interview slot for a job I probably wouldn't take anyway. Would delay some guy or girl another 3-6 months until the next interviews, not cool...

Why would I stay at airTran instead of Cathay? Well, I wouldn't mind flying heavy metal internationally, but with kids at home I don't want to be gone 7 or 8 days at a time with 10-12 days off a month which is what I'm hearing some of their pilots on the freight side are getting. 18-21 days off doesn't seem to be the norm, but I'm not sure whether they'd be hiring me into the freight or pax side, or if there's even a difference in days off between the two, (the email didn't say which side they were interviewing for).

I also took a look at the pay scale and although the pay is higher initially at Cathay (by about $20k 1st year, 10k 2nd year, even money 3rd year), putting me up $30k by going to Cathay, I upgrade around year 4 at airTran putting me up about $30k over 4th year Cathay F/O rates so it's even money either way in the long run, plus the Cathay CA pay max is within $2,000 a year of airTran CA pay max. Only real bonus at Cathay for money is a 15.5% b-fund compared to a 10.8% b-fund at airTran (which I personally think is going to go up 2 or 3% after negotiations).

Not to mention that airTran just put about $20,000 into my training and it would be more than rude just to up and leave after they've put that much into me...

Don't get me wrong, it's tempting as HELL, I've been thinking about it almost nonstop since I got the email, but bottom line, with airTran I kinda know what I'm into already and I like it, whereas I'm a little leary of Cathay's mystery behind their payscales, pax/freight pay, schedules, bases, commuting, pass privileges, etc.

If anyone over there has some insight into why Cathay would be a better bet as a family guy, please share, I haven't sent the "No" yet, but I'm definitely leaning in that direction.

Lear70,

Good on you for not taking away a spot for someone else, if your not interested. Would be nice if more folks did that. Just want to clear a few things up for the folks who are interested though. What CX payscale are you looking at that is within 2,000/month with airtran?? I know for a fact the Pax fleet guys bring home a much higher salary then airtran. There's more of a bonus then just the 15.5% you mention, especially if your HKG based. How about stability as well?

IM not on the freighter but have a few friends that are and i havn't seen one of their rosters with less then 16 off (again thats not to say their aren't). I am on the Pax and havn't seen less then 18 off. 19 seem's to be the average but occasionally 20-21 is possible. The freighter also offers a relatively quick upgrade. The bases are spelled out, no mystery, just look at the CX website-its all there! You do not "bid" for a roster, you can request specific days off each month and depending on the lifestyle of your choosing can bid for a compact or supercompact roster allowing for maximum days off in a row. Shift swap if you like, but its honestly not so bad as you may think. Medical is excellent. I have been treated very well by all the crews.

The company is very different from the U.S., they run a tight ship and just maybe thats why they do so well. Again, in my opinion its one of the most stable carriers out there. There's a few other guys on this board that have been here for a long time and maybe they can add their 2 cents. But to be honest, i flew in the states, i have many friends at many different carriers and im quite shocked we don't get more U.S. guys interested.

 

[ERJdca]

So if i were based in LAX for example flying cargo and I were to upgrade to pax flying will I still be based in LAX? What if I were to upgrade to captain could I still be based in Lax? Also you say that you don't have to be based in HK but what if I were to upgrade to Pax captain positon? I'm getting to that point where I want to move on from my current job and am exploring different avenues, so excuse my questions.

OOflyer,

If you were hired onto the freighter in LAX as an F/O you can absolutely bid for a Command on it for LAX, or any open basing vacancies. You will return to hong kong for training but when checked to the line you will return to LAX. Or After 3 years your eligible to request the pax fleet as an F/O provided there are vacancies in LAX.

Hope that answer's your question.

 

[Lear70]

Just want to clear a few things up for the folks who are interested though. What CX payscale are you looking at that is within 2,000/month with airtran??

Just what's posted on airlinepilotcentral.com, here's how it breaks down, based on a 90 hour average credit at airTran (that's what most people pull down flying about 85 hours a month from what I've been told):

Year/Position - - AirTran - - Cathay

1st Yr F/O - - - $46,440 - - $63,480 (plus $17,040 Cathay)
2nd Yr F/O - - - $60,480 - - $69,480 (plus $9,000 Cathay)
3rd Yr F/O - - - $65,880 - - $74,580 (plus $9,600 Cathay)
4th Yr - - - CA $120,960 - F/O $81,000 (plus $39,960 AirTran)
5th Yr - - - CA $129,600 - CA $134,280 (plus $4,680 Cathay)
10th Yr - - CA $155,520 - CA $157,440 (plus $1,920 Cathay)
Max - - - - CA $165,240 - CA $160,560 (plus $4,680 AIR TRAN)

Of course, not everyone will credit 90 hours, but most reserve pilots are crediting around 100-105 hours if they want to (and still hold 14 days off) and most line holders seem to be right around 80-85 hours of block, 85-90 hours of credit with 16-18 days off (those soft credits for work rules are NICE).

I know for a fact the Pax fleet guys bring home a much higher salary then airtran. There's more of a bonus then just the 15.5% you mention, especially if your HKG based. How about stability as well?

Stability is good here as well, 7 years consistently profitable during the worst downturn in U.S. Aviation history. Wouldn't want to be HKG based so I'm basing most of my monetary assumptions on U.S basing. How much more do the pax fleet guys bring in? How long to upgrade on the pax side if you stay in the U.S.?

I'M not on the freighter but have a few friends that are and i havn't seen one of their rosters with less then 16 off (again thats not to say their aren't). I am on the Pax and havn't seen less then 18 off. 19 seem's to be the average but occasionally 20-21 is possible.

That's very cool. How much do they hire DEFO into the pax side? Or do they at all?

The bases are spelled out, no mystery, just look at the CX website-its all there! You do not "bid" for a roster, you can request specific days off each month and depending on the lifestyle of your choosing can bid for a compact or supercompact roster allowing for maximum days off in a row. Shift swap if you like, but its honestly not so bad as you may think. Medical is excellent. I have been treated very well by all the crews.

That's good to hear. Does the CX website post its payscales as well? Would like to see the pax side pay.

But to be honest, i flew in the states, i have many friends at many different carriers and im quite shocked we don't get more U.S. guys interested.

I think a lot of us are perplexed by the lack of information that's out there on these issues. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say thank you for your input, it's great to shed some light on all of it and maybe it will entice some more U.S. pilots to put their apps in!

 

[vtwin]

4th Yr - - CA $120,960 - F/O $81,000 (plus $39,960 AirTran)= Not really.

About 11K a month at CX because most freighter guys transfer to the pax fleet at this point. This could be changing for new joiners however.

Some may, but most don't go for command also at that time. The pax
roster is too easy for most to take on a command course and subsequent extremely busy roster.

CX pays an additional 15.5% of your salary in cash if you choose not to participate in their Provident Fund/(401K).

ATL is now a freighter base. CX is a very different place to work and good
attitude is key for survival, peace of mind and job satisfaction. They don't suffer fools but expect you to. They will work with you if you need help and keep your chin up however. Over all, the good far outweighs the drama. Good money and time off for now. If you still want stick time
stay domestic, you will only get about 2/3 sectors(legs) a month here.

Cheers.